Projectile deployed cable weapons system

Abstract

A projectile deployed cable weapons system for defeating helicopter rotor systems is disclosed. The deployed cable is intended to settle on the target helicopter from above, and damage is inflicted on the main rotor blade or tail rotor blade of the helicopter by sudden stoppage or catastrophic failure of the contacted rotor system. A particularly advantageous assemblage for deploying an amount of cable to defeat helicopter rotor systems is also disclosed. The weapons assemblage includes a first cavity for receiving a projectile, a second cavity containing an amount of cable, and an inelastically deformable snaring means attached to the cable and situated with respect to the first cavity so as to intercept the projectile when projected. Most advantageously the assemblage consists of a field container containing both the projectile and cable as a single operating unit to be attached to the muzzle of a mortar cannon of conventional design.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An assemblage for deploying an amount of cable to defeat a helicopter rotor system, the assemblage comprising: (a) a first wall member defining a first cavity for receiving a projectile,   (b) a projectile situated with respect to the first cavity so as to be at least temporarily received therein,   (c) a second wall member joined to the first member and defining at least a second cavity for receiving an amount of cable,   (d) an amount of cable situated within the second cavity, and   (e) an inelastically deformable patch attached to the cable and situated over an opening in the first wall member so as to intercept said projectile and conformably engage the leading tip of said projectile when deployed.   
     
     
       2. The assemblage of claim 1 wherein said first wall member defining the first cavity comprises further means for engaging the muzzle of a field deployed weapon. 
     
     
       3. The assemblage of claim 1 wherein said first wall member defining the first cavity comprises a field container for said projectile. 
     
     
       4. The assemblage of claim 1 wherein said second wall member defines two or more cavities spaced equally around the periphery of the first cavity. 
     
     
       5. The assemblage of claim 1 wherein said amount of cable situated within the second cavity consists essentially of a preselected length of poly-p-benzamide. 
     
     
       6. The assemblage of claim 1 further comprising end capping means removably securable to at least one end of said wall members for sealing the assemblage against the ambient environment in an unarmed configuration. 
     
     
       7. The assemblage of claim 1 further comprising means fixed to the first and second walls for retaining the walls in a substantially fixed position during deployment of the cable. 
     
     
       8. An assemblage for deploying an amount of cable to defeat a helicopter rotor system, the assemblage comprising: (a) a first wall member defining a first cavity for receiving a projectile,   (b) a projectile situated with respect to the first cavity so as to be at least temporarily received therein,   (c) a second wall member joined to the first member and defining at least a second cavity for receiving an amount of cable,   (d) an amount of cable situated within the second cavity,   (e) snaring means attached to the cable and situated over an opening in the first wall member so as to intercept said projectile when deployed, and   (f) an inelastic shock-absorbing means connected between said amount of cable and said snaring means for absorbing the initial shock of impact between the snaring means and the projectile when projected.   
     
     
       9. The assemblage of claim 1 wherein said first wall member further comprises at least one edge defining an aperture permitting the escape of gas upon the deployment of the projectile. 
     
     
       10. The assemblage of claim 1 further comprising release trigger means engaging the projectile for releasing the projectile from said first cavity upon deployment of the projectile. 
     
     
       11. The assemblage of claim 1 further comprising a drag increasing means situated at an end of said amount of cable opposite that attached to the snaring means for significantly increasing the drag on the projectile-cable combination when fully deployed. 
     
     
       12. A round for use in defeating a helicopter rotor system comprising: an amount of cable, and means for deploying the cable in the vicinity of a target helicopter rotor system, the cable consisting essentially of a pre-selected length of poly-p-benzamide fiber, the deploying means comprising an inelastically deformable snaring means attached to the cable for engaging a projectile when deployed, and a projectile for engagement with the inelastically deformable snaring means.   
     
     
       13. The round of claim 12 wherein said projectile includes a time fuse for causing the destruction of the projectile once the cable is deployed. 
     
     
       14. The round of claim 12 further comprising a container for containing the amount of cable. 
     
     
       15. The round of claim 14 wherein said container further contains said projectile prior to the deployment of the projectile.